STAT WATCH: Aztecs’ Pumphrey builds cushion on rushing chart

Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) completes a pass despite pressure from Pittsburgh defensive lineman Ejuan Price (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)

East Carolina quarterback Philip Nelson (9) attempts a pass against South Carolina during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated East Carolina 20-15. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Coming off back-to-back 200-yard games, San Diego State’s Donnel Pumphrey has built a comfortable lead atop the national rushing chart.

Pumphrey’s average increased to 199.7 yards per game after he ran for 220 yards on 23 carries against Northern Illinois on Saturday. That came after his 281-yard night against California on Sept. 10. His low output was 98 yards against FCS New Hampshire in the opener.

The shifty 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior was held to 64 yards in the first half by Northern Illinois but broke touchdown runs of 33 and 79 yards to go over 200 yards for the fourth time in his career and help the No. 22 Aztecs win 42-28 . Pumphrey ran for 100 yards for the 24th time, passing Marshall Faulk for the most in program history and making him the FBS active leader.

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson is second in rushing, at 154.7 yards per game.

Other notable statistical achievements:

NELSON EMERGES FOR PIRATES

East Carolina’s Philip Nelson, who entered the season having not played in a game since 2013, is leading the nation in completion percentage. Playing in offensive coordinator Tony Petersen’s spread system, Nelson is 105 for 133 (78.9 percent) for an average of 365 yards per game.

Nelson started 16 games over two seasons at Minnesota before transferring to Rutgers following the 2013 season. He pleaded guilty to fifth-degree misdemeanor assault for his role in the May 2014 beating of a man in Mankato, Minnesota, and was kicked off Rutgers’ team. Nelson moved on to East Carolina, where he was on the scout team in 2015.

His top target is Zay Jones, who’s tied with California’s Chad Hansen for the national lead with 39 receptions. In Saturday’s 20-15 loss to South Carolina , Jones caught a school-record 22 balls for a career-best 190 yards. The 22 catches were one off the NCAA record and the most since Freddie Barnes of Bowling Green had 22 against Kent State in 2009.

LONG PASSES

Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph had quite a start and finish against Pittsburgh. His 91-yard touchdown pass to James Washington on the first snap was the longest play from scrimmage this season. His final pass went to Jhajuan Seales for 86 yards and set up the deciding touchdown in a 45-38 win . Washington had 296 yards, most in the nation, on nine catches.

LONG RUNS

The two longest runs from scrimmage this season occurred Saturday. Oregon State’s Victor Bolden Jr. scored on a 92-yard jet sweep in the third quarter of a 37-7 win over Idaho State, and Texas A&M’s Trayveon Williams broke an 89-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of a 29-16 win over Auburn.

FAST-MOVING ORANGE

First-year Syracuse coach Dino Babers has his Orange playing fast. Their offense got off a school-record 105 plays (55 rushing, 50 passing) in a 45-20 loss to USF. The 105 plays tied the Atlantic Coast Conference record set by Maryland in 1992 against North Carolina State.

BALL SECURITY

Eastern Michigan, New Mexico State and Nevada are the only three teams that have not fumbled, let alone lost a fumble.

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AP college football website: http://collegefootball.ap.org

Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) completes a pass despite pressure from Pittsburgh defensive lineman Ejuan Price (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/09/web1_112531466-f57101bc0fb0463ea59a24c6a87bf95c.jpgOklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) completes a pass despite pressure from Pittsburgh defensive lineman Ejuan Price (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)

East Carolina quarterback Philip Nelson (9) attempts a pass against South Carolina during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated East Carolina 20-15. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/09/web1_112531466-fe9ef18a995b4eb4b0b735ccb982b1de.jpgEast Carolina quarterback Philip Nelson (9) attempts a pass against South Carolina during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated East Carolina 20-15. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)